Diving mask with transparent face plate

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to diving masks with a snorkel wherein an exhaling tube is led from the mouth through the snorkel to the end of the snorkel to prevent fogging inside the mask.

1March 20, 1973 United States Patent 91 Bardehle [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS [54] DIVING MASK WITH TRANSPARENT FACE PLATE w T m mwm .n a cwom 9395 35456 99999 HHHHH 95432 20764 354 48754 28 72 2223 m r t m r e H v. m C m r. 6 B 0 m w nk l n EU n0 0 ZM 2 4 m l 5, 5 u 7 H J 5 r m d l m w .m F A 1 i 6 2 l 7 2 2 .l. .l.

Primary ExaminerChanning L. Pace Attorney-Wolfgang G. Fasse [30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 31, i969 ABSTRACT This invention relates to diving masks with a snorkel ..............128/l45A .A62b 7/12, A6lm 16/00 wherein an exhalin g tube is led from the mouth Fleld of Search R, through the snorkel to the end of the Snorkel to prevent fogging inside the mask.

[52] US. [51] 128/145 A,

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATiNTEnuARzoma SHEET 10F 2 INVENTOR Hum W W BY QT M DIVING MASK WITH TRANSPARENT FACE PLATE The invention refers to a diving mask with a transparent face plate for swimmers which keeps the water from the face of the swimmer and therefore encloses his mouth and eyes. The mask is provided with a snorkel.

In masks of this kind which are already known inhaling and exhaling takes place through only one snorkel. These masks have the disadvantage that the inside of the transparent face plate becomes quickly covered with condensate or fog. This is caused by the fact that the exhaled air contains moisture which condenses on the transparent face plate. It was proposed to avoid this disadvantage by dividing the inner space of the mask into two isolated parts one including the area around the ,nose and one surrounding the area around the mouth, whereby each of these parts is connected to its own snorkel. One snorkel extends from the left side and the other from the right side of the mask. Furthermore, the area around the nose is provided with the transparent'face plate. When in a mask of this kind, air is inhaled through the nose and exhaled through the mouth, the ;used breath including the moisture does not enter the space behind the transparent face plate but is exhaled through the corresponding snorkel whereby the condensation of moisture on the transparent face plate is avoided. This latter construction however increases the price of the mask since it implies a complicated form, furthermore, two snorkels with the usual valves are required.

Another mask has become known in which only one snorkel penetrates the mask and ends in the mouth of the swimmer. However, this mask has the disadvantage that the exhaled air which fills the snorkel is inhaled into the lungs of the swimmer thereby considerably diminishing the breathing efficiency. This makes a correspondingly heavier breathing necessary which impairs swimming with a mask of this kind to a great extent. 1

The British Specification 822,680, discloses a mask having its own inhaling tube and an exhaling tube which is isolated from the inhaling tube. Both tubes are connected with the inner space of the'mask by individual inlets, whereby the exhaling tube is extended into the inner space of the mask and ends in the mouth of the swimmer by means of a mouthpiece. The tubes forming the snorkel outside of the mask may be concentric tubes. The result is a relatively expensive constructionbecause of-the individual extension of the breathing tubes through the individual inlets. In the case of concentric tubes there is furthermore the complication that it is difficult to form these tubes into a U- shaped end as such U-shaped end is normally used in connection with a valve in order to avoid the flowing of water into the snorkel. Such a U-shaped end is also used in connection with the invention.

The object of the invention is to produce a mask in which the condensation of moisture on the transparent face plate is positively avoided.

Another object of the invention is to assure that the inhaled air contains only fresh air.

The construction in comparison with known masks is to be considerably simplified which is most important for the necessarily inexpensive manufacturing of masks as a mass product.

- material.

According to the invention there is provided a mask with a transparent face plate which surrounds the eyes, nose and mouth and having attached thereto two separate breathing tubes which can be closed by a valve attached to a U-shaped end of a snorkel, an inhaling tube being directly connected to an opening in the mask and an exhaling tube which extends through the wall of the mask reaching the mouth of the swimmer wherein said exhaling tube is formed as a flexible pipe which extends from the mouth through the opening and into the inhaling tube and thus inside the inhaling tube through a U-shaped end of the inhaling tube where it ends just before the valve.

In this mask a division into two separate spaces is not necessary. Furthermore, it requires but one snorkel. It is just necessary to lead the flexible pipe through the snorkel which pipe extends suitably at one end to the end of the snorkel and at the other end to the mouth of the swimmer. It is merely necessary that the cross-section which is left free by the flexible pipe inside the snorkel and the inner cross-sectional area of the flexi' ble pipe itself is sufficient to assure the unimpeded breathing by the swimmer. The swimmer just takes care that he breathes in through the nose and breathes out through the mouth whereby the exhaled air is led through the pipe to the end of the snorkel so that no moisture can enter into the inner space of the mask. Therefore, the construction of the mask is very simple, it does not require any complicated moulds, on the contrary, the known moulds for manufacturing masks with only one snorkel can be used. It is also possible to introduce the flexible pipe in existing masks with one snorkel.

There are various possibilities to lead the flexible pipe in the inner space of the mask. The pipe can be led along the side of the transparent face plate down toward the mouth. In this case it is suitable to fix the pipe in the inner space of the mask, for example, by means of an adhesive. It is also possible to lead the pipe between the eyes along the nose toward the mouth if the snorkel extends from the middle of the mask. Since in this case the pipe is led perpendicularly in the middle of the mask between the eyes the view of the swimmer is not affected. Also in this case the pipe may be fixed by an adhesive.

Preferably the pipe is made from a flexible plastic This material mouthpiece at its end in the inner space of the mask in order to hold the pipe in the mouth without fatigue.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-section through a mask with one snorkel extending from its center, and provided with a flexible exhaling pipe according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of the same mask in which the pipe is led through the middle to the mouth;

FIG. 3 shows the same mask with a pipe led along the side of the transparent face plate;

FIG.'4 shows a mask with a snorkel extending from the side of tlie mask and a pipe which is led along the side of the transparent face plate.

The mask as shown in FIG. 1 comprises a housing 1 into which the transparent face plate is sealed. The housing 1 is fixed to the head of the swimmer by means allows the fixing of 'a of the band 3. The band is adjustable tight enough to provide a seal between the face of the swimmer and along the edge 4 against the water. The snorkel 5 extends from the upper part of the housing 1. The snorkel ends in its upper part in a U-shaped piece 6 from which the cage 7 is suspended in which there is a floating ball 8, for example, of plastic material which in case of diving with the mask is pushed upward, thereby closing the opening 9 of the U-shaped piece 6. A flexible pipe 10 is introduced into the snorkel 5. The lower end 11 of the pipe 10 terminates in the area of the mouth of the swimmer. A mouthpiece 12 is attached to the end 1 l to simplify the holding of the end 11 in the mouth. The inner cross section or diameter of the pipe 10 is large enough that breathing is possible without difficulties. Further, the pipe 10 leaves such a cross-section in the inner diameter of the snorkel 5 and of the U-shaped piece 6 free that through this cross-section breathing is likewise possible without difficulties. The swimmer inhales through the nose whereby he breathes air in through the space which is left free by the pipe 10 inside of the snorkel 5 and the U-shaped piece 6. The used air is exhaled through the mouth and through the pipe 10. Thereby the used air cannot enter the inner space of the mask so that condensation on the transparent face plate 2 is avoided.

The pipe 10 is free in the inner space of the snorkel 5 and the U-shaped piece 6. Generally, a fixing of pipe 10 is not necessary since the pipe 10 is held by friction in the bend at the lower end of the snorkel and the U- shaped piece 6. It is also possible to provide the pipe 10 with supports 16 in the snorkel 5 and the U-shaped piece 6. The pipe 10 terminates in the U-shaped piece 6 just before its ending 9 so that the ball 8 avoids possible entrance of water at the ending 9 in case of diving with the mask. On the other end it is achieved that the ex haled breath is led directly into the open air.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the mask as shown in FIG. 1. One sees through the transparent face plate 2 the pipe 10 which extends from the snorkel 5 through the middle of the mask to the mouth of the swimmer. When the mask is worn the pipe 10 lies between the eyes of the swimmer above the nose so that it does not hinder the view of the swimmer.

FIG. 3 shows a different embodiment wherein the pipe 14 is bent to the side after entry into the inner part of the mask and extends along the side of the transparent face plate 2. The view of the swimmer is here entirely free. This construction may be preferable where the transparent face plate is not close to the face of the swimmer since then a pipe in the center and close behind the transparent face plate 2 might be found to be disturbing.

FIG. 4 shows a construction in which the snorkel is provided at the edge of the mask. The snorkel 13 extends from the side of the housing 1 perpendicularly upward. The pipe 15 is led correspondingly downward in a bend at the side of the transparent face plate 2 where it ends in the area of the mouth of the swimmer.

The invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a diving mask having a housing providing a lower mouth area and an upper visual area in said housmg, a transparent face plate sealmgly attached to a first opening in said housing and covering at least said visual area, an outer breathing conduit and an inner breathing conduit extending concentrically within said outer breathing conduit, means for connecting one end of said outer breathing conduit to a second opening in said housing, a valve arranged for closing the other end of said outer breathing conduit, the improvement comprising a flexible hose forming as an exhaling conduit said inner breathing conduit, said flexible hose extending through said second opening in.said housing into said outer conduit, which outer conduit serves as an inhaling conduit, said flexible hose having a free, inner end extending within said housing from said second opening to said mouth area thereof, and an outer end located adjacent to said valve. k

2. The diving mask according to claim 1, wherein said flexible exhaling conduit extends from said second opening downwardly inside said housing adjacent to said transparent face plate and into said mouth area.

3. The diving mask according to claim 1, wherein said second opening of said housing is in an upper wall of the housing, said flexible conduit extendingfrom said second opening downwardly in said housing substantially centrally of said transparent face plate and into said mouth area.

4. The diving mask according to claim 1, further comprising a mouthpiece directly attached to said free end of said flexible hose inside said housing.

5. The diving mask according to claim 1, further comprising support means arranged inside said outer inhaling conduit for supporting said flexible exhaling 

1. In a diving mask having a housing providing a lower mouth area and an upper visual area in said housing, a transparent face plate sealingly attached to a first opening in said housing and covering at least said visual area, an outer breathing conduit and an inner breathing conduit extending concentrically within said outer breathing conduit, means for connecting one end of said outer breathing conduit to a second opening in said housing, a valve arranged for closing the other end of said outer breathing conduit, the improvement comprising a flexible hose forming as an exhaling conduit said inner breathing conduit, said flexible hose extending through said second opening in said housing into said outer conduit, which outer conduit serves as an inhaling conduit, said flexible hose having a free, inner end extending within said housing from said second opening to said mouth area thereof, and an outer end located adjacent to said valve.
 2. The diving mask according to claim 1, wherein said flexible exhaling conduit extends from said second opening downwardly inside said housing adjacent to said transparent face plate and into said mouth area.
 3. The diving mask according to claim 1, wherein said second opening of said housing is in an upper wall of the housing, said flexible conduit extending from said second opening downwardly in said Housing substantially centrally of said transparent face plate and into said mouth area.
 4. The diving mask according to claim 1, further comprising a mouthpiece directly attached to said free end of said flexible hose inside said housing.
 5. The diving mask according to claim 1, further comprising support means arranged inside said outer inhaling conduit for supporting said flexible exhaling hose inside said inhaling conduit.
 6. The diving mask according to claim 1, wherein said inhaling conduit and the flexible exhaling hose have open ends formed into a common, concentric U-shape remote from said housing, said valve comprising a buoyant closure member, said open end of said flexible exhaling hose ending inside said inhaling conduit adjacent to the open end of the inhaling conduit so that the closure member closes both conduits simultaneously. 